UK Automotive and Components Sector

Lord Spellar Excerpts

Wednesday 9th September 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Spellar]

To ask His Majesty’s Government, in light of Jaguar Land Rover’s decision to cut 4,000 jobs over the next two years, what steps they are taking to support the UK’s automotive and components sector and its workforce.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Lord Leong) (Lab)]

My Lords, we understand the anxiety that this announcement causes among workers, families and communities in the area where JLR is based. We are determined that Britain will remain a world-leading automotive nation. Our industrial strategy reduces electricity costs, commits £4 billion to DRIVE35 to advance manufacturing and research, and allocates £2 billion to boost electric vehicle demand. We are strengthening supplies through the DRIVE35 transformation programme and securing better access to markets in the EU and the United States, thereby protecting investment and jobs.

[Lord Spellar (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend the Minister for that Answer. He obviously recognises the importance of our auto components industry, which underpins our car assembly plants and is also a significant part of our exports and regional economies. He and the House will be aware of the significant impact of the hack at Jaguar Land Rover last year, which led to an overall drop in GDP but also had a much more significant effect on the West Midlands economy. So, with those current problems at JLR, which the Minister has identified, what are the Government doing to support the supply chains and the British car plants, and would not one measure be for public bodies to prioritise buying British vehicles built by British workers?

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

My Lords, my noble friend rightly reminds us that cyber attacks affect companies of all sizes, and this is a stark reminder that JLR is not only the manufacturer but also the anchor of the supply chain. We are working with JLR, lenders, local partners and suppliers to safeguard viable businesses, improve access to finance and strengthen cyber resilience. On procurement, we will use government purchasing power strategically to ensure that British manufacturers can compete fairly and that social value, resilient supply chains and UK capability are recognised in purchasing decisions.